LLTO Mid-Season Awards: Best Front Office

It is tough to improve once you have climbed Mount Everest, but the first ever Spanish treble winners from a year back somehow did this most recent transfer. Barca was able to land arguably the best striker in the world in Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the deal that saw the Samuel Eto’o leave the returning champs to join Inter. Often making such a deal can have negative backlash with the whole theory that “if it isn’t broken don’t fix it”. But Barca took the risk and landed an even bigger star and that certainly hasn’t hurt the squad. The signing of Xavi was also crucial, but remaining the best club in the world isn’t as easy as it might seem to be.

I know many of these awards are getting quite repetitive, but no two teams made as many great moves as Barca and Real Madrid this year. None in La Liga or none anywhere else in the world for that matter. Madrid brought in great players across the board and anytime that you can acquire Serie A’s best midfielder (Kaka)or the Premier League’s best forward (Ronaldo) your team will improve. Real Madrid certainly has this season and even though the bar is raised los galicticos are ready for the upcoming challenge.

Valencia was able to survive so far this season despite desperately growing financial problems that have pressured the club into the notion of trading away much of their most valuable talent. But Valencia didn’t give into the pressure and they continue to fight the good fight without dealing stars away. Although their management hasn’t done a great job not giving in is good enough to be considered for this honor.